Method and system for a gas tube switch-based voltage source high voltage direct current transmission system

ABSTRACT

A voltage source converter based high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system includes a voltage source converter (VSC)-based power converter channel. The VSC-based power converter channel includes an AC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the AC-DC converter. The AC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter include at least one gas tube switching device coupled in electrical anti-parallel with a respective gas tube diode. The VSC-based power converter channel includes a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more of the at least one gas tube switching devices. The commutating circuit is configured to “switch on” a respective one of the one or more gas tube switching devices during a first portion of an operational cycle and “switch off” the respective one of the one or more gas tube switching devices during a second portion of the operational cycle.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with Government support under contract number DE-AR0000298 awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE). The Government may have certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND

This description relates to high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, and, more particularly, to HVDC converter systems and a method of operation thereof.

High voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical power transmission, in contrast with the prevalent alternating current (AC) systems, exhibits benefits of cost and loss reduction in the long-distance transmission of electrical power. Throughout the world, electrical power is traditionally distributed with high voltage AC. High voltage is used for transmission because the loss of energy during transmission is proportional to the amount of electrical current squared (I²R losses). Thus, raising the voltage instead of raising the current allows more power to be transmitted without significantly increasing the transmission losses. AC was selected for power transmission in the early days of electrification instead of direct current (DC) because it was easier to transform between different voltage levels with alternating current than with direct current.

Although alternating current is used for most electrical energy transmission, alternating current has its own set of problems. Alternating current generally requires more conductors to carry a similar amount of electrical power than direct current. Alternating current can suffer a ‘skin effect,’ where much of the power transmission is carried by the outer surface of the conductor instead of being uniformly carried by the conductor, thus resulting in increased transmission losses as compared to direct current transmission. Furthermore, it can be very difficult to transmit electrical power with alternating current with undersea or underground cables due to the associated increased cable capacitance. Thus, for many long-distance electrical energy transmission tasks, high-voltage direct current is used instead of alternating current. Direct current transmission is also able to connect asynchronous power grids through a DC hub, which permits a controlled flow of energy while also functionally isolating the independent AC frequencies of each side and thereby reducing fault propagation through the AC-DC-DC interconnection. For example, the Eastern Interconnection and Western Interconnection are the two major alternating-current (AC) electrical grids in North America. The Texas interconnection is one of several minor interconnections with respect to the Eastern and Western Interconnection. The Eastern, the Western and the Texas Interconnections may be connected via HVDC interconnection links. Geographically overlapping but electrically isolated asynchronous grids can be connected for the same purpose as above using “Back-to-Back” converters configuration requiring no additional transmission lines. Back-to-Back HVDC system can be seen as a specific case of HVDC transmission system.

HVDC transmission lines can also carry electrical energy over long distances with transmission losses significantly less than alternating current transmission losses. For example, high-voltage direct current transmission line losses are typically 30 to 40% lower than alternating current transmission line losses at the same voltage levels. Alternating current transmission lines are limited by their peak voltage levels but do not transmit much power at those peak levels, whereas direct current can transmit full power at the peak voltage level. Furthermore, as described above, because direct current does not involve multiple phases nor suffers from the skin effect, direct current transmission lines can have fewer conductor lines and smaller conductor lines. As a result, a dimension and costs of the transmission towers is reduced along with issues associated with the right-of-way. Additionally, reactive power issues that affect alternating current transmission do not affect direct current transmission.

However, HVDC transmission is generally avoided unless the power is being transmitted by an undersea cable or over a very long distance. High-voltage direct current is generally avoided because the conversion equipment is very complex and expensive. Thus, even though direct current provides significant efficiency advantages for electrical energy transmission, direct current is not as often used for electricity transmission as alternating current. At least some known HVDC transmission systems include conventional conversion equipment that typically includes a multi-phase AC-to-DC converter, a long distance DC power conductor, such as, but not limited to an electrical cable for transmission of the electrical power, and a multi-phase DC-to-AC inverter on the load end of the system. Switching valves in the multi-phase AC-to-DC converter and multi-phase DC-to-AC inverter are typically silicon-based and subject to relatively low voltage and current ratings. To increase the ratings of the system to a level useful for power transmission systems, many such valves are coupled in electrical series and/or electrical parallel. Although such connections increase the ratings of the multi-phase AC-to-DC converter and the multi-phase DC-to-AC inverter, such connections also increase the complexity of commutation of the valves, the complexity of the current and voltage sharing among the valves, and the space requirements of the components that make up the conversion system.

The state-of-the-art of HVDC converter technology has evolved from the line commutated converter (LCC) HVDC using thyristors, to voltage source converter (VSC) HVDC, in which output voltage polarity does not change, and in which self-commutating power semiconductors such as IGBTs or IGCTs are used. VSC HVDC has evolved, most recently to the modular multilevel converter (MMC) HVDC technology and their hybrid combinations. The LCC HVDC is a current source system, meaning that in which the current direction does not change and in which the thyristor is used. Because the thyristor, unlike IGBTs or IGCTs, cannot be forced to turn off, this type of system relies on the grid for commutation. Therefore, unlike VSC HVDC it consumes a large amount of reactive power compensation as well as requires a strong grid environment. VSC HVDC on other hand is fully capable of operating in weak AC systems, have “Black” start capability without requiring support of external devices such as bulky and expensive synchronous condensers that would be needed for LCC HVDC in such applications. Moreover VSC converters due to their ability to independently control reactive power generate insignificant level of harmonics and hence no filters are required. As a result land area required for VSC HVDC station can be as much as 50-60% that of for LCC. However LCC systems are cost effective and continue to be used particularly for overhead transmission if the connecting grids are strong and/or where magnitude power to be transmitted well exceeds power handling capabilities of VSC systems, due principally to IGBTs or IGCTs current ratings which is much lower than for thyristors.

Advantages of VSC HVDC is enhanced by replacing power semiconductors with the gas tubes, which can be designed to manage much higher magnitudes of current, enabling therefore in much higher power ratings for VSC HVDC stations. Combination of the gas tube's significantly higher voltage ratings, in hundreds of kilovolts (kV) as compared to a few kV for the power semiconductors, and extremely fast turn on and turn off characteristics, result in considerable reduction in the number of switching elements as well as the complexity of topology to simpler two-level converter. As a consequence the system's complexity, size, weight, and costs are greatly reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a voltage source converter-based high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system is provided. The HVDC transmission system includes a pair of DC power transmission conductors connecting with voltage source converter (VSC)-based power converters at both ends, which in turn connect with alternating current (AC) electrical grid systems. The VSC-based power converter channel includes an AC-DC converter including a first three-phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to the AC electrical source. The first three phase bridge switching circuit includes a plurality of first legs electrically coupled in series/parallel with respect to each other. Each first leg of the plurality of first legs includes at least one first gas tube switching device coupled with an electrical anti-parallel connected respective gas tube diode. The VSC-based power converter channel also includes a DC-AC inverter including a second three phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to the AC-DC converter. The second three phase bridge switching circuit includes a plurality of second legs electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other. Each second leg of the plurality of second legs includes at least one gas tube switching device coupled in electrical anti-parallel with a respective gas tube diode. The VSC-based power converter channel includes a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more gas tube switching devices of at least one of the first three phase bridge switching circuit and the second three phase bridge switching circuit. The commutating circuit is configured to “switch on” a respective one of the one or more gas tube switching devices during a first portion of an operational cycle of at least one of the first and second three phase bridge switching circuits and “switch off” the respective one of the one or more gas tube switching devices during a second portion of the operational cycle of the at least one of the first and second three phase bridge switching circuits. One of the two three phase bridge switching circuit may be based on power semiconductor technologies such as IGBTs.

In another aspect, a method of transmitting electrical power using direct current (DC) transmission is provided. The method includes receiving alternating current (AC) electrical power and transferring current from a first gas tube switching device of a plurality of converter gas tube switching devices to a second gas tube switching device of the plurality of converter gas tube switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the first and the second gas tube switching device at selectable times. The method also includes generating a direct current (DC) flow of electrical power using the transferred current. The method further includes generating an alternating current using a plurality of inverter gas tube switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the inverter gas tube switching devices at selectable times and supplying a load with the generated alternating current.

In yet another aspect, a power converter channel is provided. The power converter channel includes an AC-DC converter including a first three phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to an electrical source. The first three phase bridge switching circuit includes a plurality of first legs electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other. Each first leg of the plurality of first legs includes at least one gas tube switching device. The power converter channel also includes a DC-AC inverter including a second three phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to the AC-DC converter. The second three phase bridge switching circuit includes a plurality of second legs electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other. Each second leg of the plurality of second legs includes at least one gas tube switching device. The power converter channel further includes a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more first and second gas tube switching devices of at least one of the first and second three phase bridge switching circuits. The commutating circuit is configured to “switch on” a respective one of the one or more first and second gas tube switching devices during a first portion of an operational cycle of at least one of the first and second three phase bridge switching circuits and “switch off” the respective one of the one or more first and second gas tube switching devices during a second portion of the operational cycle of the at least one of the first and second three phase bridge switching circuits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative HVDC transmission system with an increased voltage/current rating; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of transmitting electrical power using the HVDC transmission systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are meant to illustrate features of embodiments of the disclosure. These features are believed to be applicable in a wide variety of systems including one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As such, the drawings are not meant to include all conventional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be required for the practice of the embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer,” and related terms, e.g., “processing device,” “computing device,” and “controller” are not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. In the embodiments described herein, memory may include, but it not limited to, a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a computer-readable non-volatile medium, such as a flash memory. Alternatively, a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, in the embodiments described herein, additional input channels may be, but are not limited to, computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, but not be limited to, a scanner. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, additional output channels may include, but not be limited to, an operator interface monitor.

Further, as used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program storage in memory for execution by personal computers, workstations, clients, and servers.

As used herein, the term “black start” refers to providing electric power to at least one power generation facility in a location geographically-isolated or electrically-isolated from a source external to the power generation facility. A black start condition is considered to exist when there are no electric power generators in service in the power generation facility and there are no other sources of electric power in the isolated power generation facility to facilitate a restart of at least one electric power generator therein. Black start can be also seen as an extreme example of “weak-grid” whereby so called “Effective Short Circuit Ratio” or ESCR is low enough requiring additional equipment to provide voltage support in facilitating starting up of the HVDC converter.

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that the disclosure has general application to analytical and methodical embodiments of transmitting electrical power over long distances or between asynchronous electrical grids.

Embodiments of the present application describe a HVDC power transmission system architecture that is based on gas tube switches for the converter and inverter valves. In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include a high standoff voltage of greater than approximately 100 kV and in another embodiment, greater than approximately 300 kV). The gas tube switches also include a high conduction current when closed of greater than approximately 100 Amperes (A) and in other embodiments greater than approximately 500 A). The gas tube switches also include a low forward voltage drop during conduction of less than approximately 500 Volts (V) and in other embodiments less than approximately 100 V). In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include a fast switching time of less than approximately 20 microseconds (μs) and in other embodiments less than approximately 2 μs. In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include a low energy loss per switching event of less than approximately 50 joules and in other embodiments less than approximately 5 joules. In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include an ability to operate at a high duty cycle of greater than approximately 1 percent and in other embodiments up to 100 percent. In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include an ability to close and open on command. In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include an expected long operating life of greater than approximately 3 years and in other embodiments greater than approximately 20 years. The gas tube switches are embodied in physical devices that include electrodes that are separated by vacuum or gas, to provide a relatively high standoff voltage, but an ionizable gas filling is preferred to additionally achieve a low forward-volt drop. In some embodiments, the gas tube switches include a liquid cathode to achieve a long operating life, a switching electrode to provide closing and opening capability, a magnetic field to achieve the required current density at the cathode surface, the design and operating parameters, such as, but not limited to dimensions, gas filling pressure, and electrode voltages are determined to ensure a relatively fast switching time with a low energy loss per switching event, and active cathode cooling allows sustained operation at high duty cycle.

Due to the turn on and turn off capability of the gas tube switch as well as bidirectional current blocking capability, a multiphase voltage source converter topology with interleaving is adapted into a HVDC system. Such a topology was not previously considered for HVDC systems. The described HVDC converter system does not rely on the grid for commutation and can actively control the gas tube for voltage/power regulation. This capability is different than a thyristor-based HVDC converter system, because the thyristor is a line commutated device. Being able to positively control the turn-on and turn-off of the gas tube switches reduces the need for huge capacitor banks for reactive power compensation. Furthermore, the gas tube switch-based HVDC transmission system has an inherent black startup capability, therefore eliminating or reducing a need for a synchronous condenser.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, a configuration of HVDC transmission system 100 is of a voltage source converter (VSC) HVDC transmission system based on a gas tube switch valve assembly.

HVDC transmission system 100 includes an alternating current (AC) electrical source 102, which, in various embodiments, includes an AC bus 104 electrically coupled to a transformer or generator 106. HVDC transmission system 100 also includes a power converter channel 108 that includes an AC-DC converter 110, a DC-AC inverter 112, and one or more commutating circuits 114.

AC-DC converter 110 includes one or more first multi-phase bridge circuits, such as, but not limited to three-phase H-bridge switching circuits 116 electrically coupled to electrical source 102. In various embodiments, the one or more first H-bridge switching circuits 116 are electrically coupled to electrical source 102 through one or more power conditioning components including for example, step-up transformers 118 configured to increase a voltage of the power from electrical source 102 to a level suitable for transmission. The one or more power conditioning components also include line inductors 120 and capacitors 121. The one or more first H-bridge switching circuits 116 include a plurality of legs 123 electrically coupled in series and/or parallel with respect to each other. Each leg 123 includes at least one gas tube switching device 124. Gas tube diodes 122 anti-paralleled with gas tube switching device 124 provide an alternate path for current flow.

In the exemplary embodiment, at least one gas tube switching device 124 is formed of a gas tube switch configured to generate a plasma of ionized gas to facilitate controlling current flow through gas tube switching device 124. Because gas tube switching device 124 is formed of a gas tube switch, gas tube switching device 124 is positively switched on and positively switched off to provide positive commutation of AC-DC converter 110. The positive commutation of gas tube switches is opposed to, for example, thyristors, which are typically used in power converters and power inverters. Thyristors are line commutated, meaning the thyristor is turned on by a control signal, but is turned off only when reverse-biased by a line voltage of electrical source 102. In one embodiment, gas tube switch type switching device 124 is rated for greater than approximately 100 kilovolts (kV). In another embodiment, gas tube switch type switching device 124 is rated for greater than approximately 300 kilovolts (kV). More than one gas tube switching device 124 is coupled in electrical series in each leg 123 to increase a voltage capability of AC-DC converter 110 and/or DC-AC inverter 112. Because the voltage rating and current rating of the gas tube-type switch is relatively greater than the voltage rating of other type switching devices, relatively fewer gas tube switching devices are needed for AC-DC converter 110 or DC-AC inverter 112 when using gas tube switches in contrast to a similarly rated AC-DC converter 110 or DC-AC inverter 112 using, for example, thyristors. Using relatively fewer devices permits less electrical loss, smaller space requirements, and less complex control algorithms for commutation of AC-DC converter 110 and DC-AC inverter 112.

DC-AC inverter 112 includes a second H-bridge switching circuit 126 electrically coupled to AC-DC converter 110 through at least one HVDC transmission conductor, such as, but not limited to a cable 128. In some embodiments, cable 128 represents a relatively long transmission cable. In other embodiments, cable 128 represents a switchyard bus that is used to connect two different asynchronous AC power systems. Second H-bridge switching circuit 126 also includes a plurality of legs 130 electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other. Each leg of plurality of legs 130 includes at least one gas tube switching device 124. For a Back-to-Back HVDC converter system, cable 128 is replaced by bus system connecting the two co-located converters.

Commutating circuit 114 is communicatively coupled to one or more gas tube switching devices 124 of at least one of first H-bridge switching circuit 116 and second H-bridge switching circuit 126. Commutating circuit 114 is configured to “switch on” a respective one of one or more gas tube switching devices 214 during a first portion of an operational cycle of at least one of first H-bridge switching circuit 116 and second H-bridge switching circuit 126 and “switch off” the respective one of one or more gas tube switching devices 124 during a second portion of the operational cycle of at least one of first H-bridge switching circuit 116 and second H-bridge switching circuit 126. In various embodiments, commutating circuit 114 is embodied in a single circuit communicatively coupled to first H-bridge switching circuit 116 and second H-bridge switching circuit 126. In other embodiments, commutating circuit 114 is embodied in a circuit communicatively coupled to a respective one of each H-bridge switching circuit included in HVDC transmission system 100.

In various embodiments, commutating circuit 114 includes a processing device including at least one processor (not shown) communicatively coupled to at least one memory device. In such an embodiment, the at least one memory device includes instructions that when executed by the at least one processor, cause commutating circuit 114 to perform the steps described herein.

A load bus 134 is electrically coupled to second H-bridge switching circuit 126 through one or more power conditioning components including for example, a step-down transformer 136, which is configured to decrease a voltage of the power from second H-bridge switching circuit 126 to a level suitable for distribution. The one or more power conditioning components also include line inductors 138 and capacitors 140.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system 200 with increased voltage/current rating. In the exemplary embodiment, HVDC transmission system 200 includes a plurality of parallel connected power converter channels 108. In various embodiments, an interleaving technique is applied to reduce the filter requirement. In one embodiment, inter-phase interleaving is used for three-phase voltage source converter (VSC) channel 108. Using inter-phase interleaving permits the output three-phase voltages of VSC channels 108 to be balanced. In addition, common mode inductors (not shown) are used to limit the circulating current within system 200. The reduction in the number of devices, snubbers, reactive power compensators, etc., contributes to a much reduced footprint of embodiments of VSC HVDC system 200 described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, a current rating of HVDC transmission system 200 is increased for high power transmission using a plurality of first H-bridge switching circuits 116 and second H-bridge switching circuits 126 in VSC channels 108 coupled in electrical parallel. A number of paralleled gas tube switching devices 124 or the number of paralleled H-bridges 116 or 126 can be increased in each H-bridge switching circuits 116 or 126 for a higher current operation. In the exemplary embodiment, the number of H-bridge switching circuits 116 or 126 coupled in electrical parallel is increased to provide larger current carrying capability and potentially increased reliability though installed spare H-bridge switching circuits 116 or 126 that may be turned on and off on command from commutating circuit 114 or other control circuit. Additionally, providing a plurality of H-bridge switching circuits 116 or 126 coupled in parallel permits a modular design where each H-bridge switching circuits 116 or 126 may be swapped easily for failed H-bridge switching circuits 116 or 126.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 300 of transmitting electrical power using direct current (DC) transmission. In the exemplary embodiment, method 300 includes receiving 302 alternating current (AC) electrical power, transferring 304 current from a first gas tube switching device of a plurality of converter gas tube switching devices to a second gas tube switching device of the plurality of converter gas tube switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the first and the second gas tube switching device at selectable times, generating 306 a direct current (DC) flow of electrical power using the transferred current, generating 308 an alternating current using a plurality of inverter gas tube switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the inverter gas tube switching devices at selectable times, and supplying 310 a load with the generated alternating current.

The above-described HVDC transmission systems provide a cost-effective method for transmitting HVDC power. The embodiments described herein facilitate transmitting HVDC power between an AC generating facility and an AC load grid that are geographically-isolated or electrically-isolated from each other. The AC generating facility may be located nearby or many tens or hundreds of miles apart from the AC load grid and may even be located more than one thousand miles from the AC load grid. Specifically, the devices, systems, and methods described herein also facilitate enabling black start of a geographically-isolated or electrically-isolated AC facility, e.g., an off-shore wind farm. Also, the devices, systems, and methods described herein facilitate decreasing reactive power requirements of associated converter systems while also providing for supplemental reactive power transmission features. Further, the devices, systems, and methods described herein facilitate significantly decreasing, and potentially eliminating large and expensive switching AC filter systems, capacitor systems, and reactive power compensation devices, thereby facilitating decreasing a physical footprint of the associated system. In a Back-to-Back configuration, the above described HVDC system facilitates interconnection between two adjacent but asynchronous grids, thereby increasing both availability and reliability of electrical power.

An exemplary technical effect of the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein includes at least one of (a) enabling black start of a remote AC electric power generation facility, e.g., an off-shore wind farm; (b) decreasing reactive power requirements of associated converter systems; (c) providing for supplemental reactive power transmission features; (d) significantly decreasing, and potentially eliminating, large and expensive switching AC filter systems, capacitor systems, and reactive power compensation devices, thereby decreasing a physical footprint of the associated HVDC transmission system.

Exemplary embodiments of HVDC transmission systems for coupling power generation facilities and a load grid, and methods for operating the same, are described above in detail. The HVDC transmission systems, HVDC converter systems, and methods of operating such systems are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the methods may also be used in combination with other systems requiring HVDC transmission and methods, and are not limited to practice with only the HVDC transmission systems, HVDC converter systems, and methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other high power conversion applications, for example, without limitation, multi-megawatt sized drive applications.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

The logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments that have been described in particular detail are merely exemplary or possible embodiments, and that there are many other combinations, additions, or alternatives that may be included.

Also, the particular naming of the components, capitalization of terms, the attributes, data structures, or any other programming or structural aspect is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the disclosure or its features may have different names, formats, or protocols. Further, the system may be implemented via a combination of hardware and software, as described, or entirely in hardware elements. Also, the particular division of functionality between the various system components described herein is merely one example, and not mandatory; functions performed by a single system component may instead be performed by multiple components, and functions performed by multiple components may instead performed by a single component.

Some portions of above description present features in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations may be used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules or by functional names, without loss of generality.

Based on the foregoing specification, the above-discussed embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented using computer programming or engineering techniques including computer software, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Any such resulting program, having computer-readable and/or computer-executable instructions, may be embodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, thereby making a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture, according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. The computer readable media may be, for instance, a fixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductor memory such as read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory, etc., or any transmitting/receiving medium such as the Internet or other communication network or link. The article of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/or used by executing the instructions directly from one medium, by copying the code from one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over a network.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, it will be recognized that the disclosure can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, the above-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented using computer programming or engineering techniques including computer software, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof, the technical effect of the methods and systems may be achieved by performing at least one of the following steps: (a) receiving alternating current (AC) electrical power, (b) transferring current from a first switching device of a plurality of converter switching devices to a second switching device of the plurality of converter switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the first and the second switching device at selectable times, (c) generating a direct current (DC) flow of electrical power using the transferred current, (d) generating an alternating current using a plurality of inverter switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the inverter switching devices at selectable times, and (e) supplying a load with the generated alternating current. Any such resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may be embodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, thereby making a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture, according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. The computer readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, a fixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductor memory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receiving medium such as the Internet or other communication network or link. The article of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/or used by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the code from one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over a network.

The above-described embodiments of a method and system of transmitting electrical power using direct current (DC) transmission provides a cost-effective and reliable means transmitting electrical power over long distances with relatively little losses. In the Back-to-Back configuration, the above described HVDC system facilitates interconnection between two adjacent but asynchronous grids, thereby increasing both availability and reliability of electrical power; More specifically, the methods and systems described herein facilitate converting AC electrical power using valves that are positively turned on and positively turned off. The valves are gas tube based power electronic switches as compared to, for example, thyristor based switches. In addition, the above-described methods and systems facilitate reducing a complexity of the converter commutation circuit because of the lesser numbers of gas tube switches needed than a thyristor-based system with a similar rating capability. As a result, the methods and systems described herein facilitate reducing cost while improving the capability of the HVDC transmission system in a cost-effective and reliable manner.

This written description uses examples to describe the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A voltage source converter-based high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system comprising: an alternating current (AC) electrical source; and a voltage source converter (VSC)-based power converter channel comprising: an AC-DC converter comprising a first three-phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to said AC electrical source, said first three-phase bridge switching circuit comprising a plurality of first legs electrically coupled in series/parallel with respect to each other, each first leg of said plurality of first legs comprising at least one first gas tube switching device coupled in electrical anti-parallel with a respective gas tube diode; a DC-AC inverter comprising a second three-phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to said AC-DC converter, said second three-phase bridge switching circuit comprising a plurality of second legs electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other, each second leg of said plurality of second legs comprising at least one gas tube switching device coupled in electrical anti-parallel with a respective gas tube diode; and a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more gas tube switching devices of at least one of said first three-phase bridge switching circuit and said second three-phase bridge switching circuit, said commutating circuit configured to “switch on” a respective one of said one or more gas tube switching devices during a first portion of an operational cycle of at least one of said first and second three-phase bridge switching circuits and “switch off” said respective one of said one or more gas tube switching devices during a second portion of the operational cycle of said at least one of said first and second three-phase bridge switching circuits.
 2. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, wherein each said gas tube switching device is rated for greater than approximately 100 kilovolts (kV).
 3. The HVDC transmission system of claim 2, wherein each said gas tube switching device is rated for greater than approximately 300 kilovolts (kV).
 4. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, wherein each said gas tube switching device comprises an ionizable gas enclosed in a chamber.
 5. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, wherein each said gas tube switching device comprises a liquid cathode.
 6. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, wherein said HVDC transmission system comprises a plurality of VSC-based power converter channels coupled in electrical parallel.
 7. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first three-phase bridge switching circuits and said second three-phase bridge switching circuits comprises a plurality of said gas tube switching devices coupled in electrical series.
 8. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, further comprising a DC transmission cable extending between said AC-DC converter and said DC-AC inverter.
 9. The HVDC transmission system of claim 1, wherein said commutating circuit comprises a first commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more gas tube switching devices of only said first three-phase bridge switching circuit and a second commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more gas tube switching devices of only said second three-phase bridge switching circuit.
 10. A method of transmitting electrical power using direct current (DC) transmission, said method comprising: receiving alternating current (AC) electrical power; transferring current from a first gas tube switching device of a plurality of converter gas tube switching devices to a second gas tube switching device of the plurality of converter gas tube switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the first and the second gas tube switching device at selectable times; generating a direct current (DC) flow of electrical power using the transferred current; and generating an alternating current using a plurality of inverter gas tube switching devices by sequentially turning on and turning off the inverter gas tube switching devices at selectable times.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling a gas tube based diode in electrical anti-parallel with at least one gas tube switching device of the plurality of gas tube switching devices.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein transferring current from a first gas tube switching device of a plurality of converter gas tube switching devices to a second gas tube switching device of the plurality of converter gas tube switching devices comprises commutating the converter gas tube switching devices using a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to the plurality of converter gas tube switching devices.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein generating an alternating current using a plurality of inverter gas tube switching devices comprises controlling a reactive power output of the plurality of inverter gas tube switching devices by controlling a commutation of the plurality of inverter gas tube switching devices.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein transferring current from a first gas tube switching device of a plurality of converter gas tube switching devices to a second gas tube switching device of the plurality of converter gas tube switching devices comprises transferring current from a first gas tube switch of a plurality of converter gas tube switches to a second gas tube switch of the plurality of converter gas tube switches.
 15. A power converter channel comprising: an AC-DC converter comprising a first three-phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to an electrical source, said first three-phase bridge switching circuit comprising a plurality of first legs electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other, each first leg of said plurality of first legs comprising at least one gas tube switching device; a DC-AC inverter comprising a second three-phase bridge switching circuit electrically coupled to said AC-DC converter, said second three-phase bridge switching circuit comprising a plurality of second legs electrically coupled in series parallel with respect to each other, each second leg of said plurality of second legs comprising at least one gas tube switching device; and a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more first and second gas tube switching devices of at least one of said first and second three-phase bridge switching circuits, said commutating circuit configured to “switch on” a respective one of said one or more first and second gas tube switching devices during a first portion of an operational cycle of at least one of said first and second three-phase bridge switching circuits and “switch off” said respective one of said one or more first and second gas tube switching devices during a second portion of the operational cycle of said at least one of said first and second three-phase bridge switching circuits.
 16. The power converter channel of claim 15, wherein each said one or more first and second gas tube switching devices is rated for greater than approximately 100 kilovolts (kV).
 17. The power converter channel of claim 16, wherein each said one or more first and second gas tube switching devices is rated for greater than approximately 300 kilovolts (kV).
 18. The power converter channel of claim 15, wherein each said one or more first and second gas tube switching devices comprises an ionizable gas enclosed in a chamber.
 19. The power converter channel of claim 15, wherein said HVDC transmission system comprises a plurality of power converter channels coupled in electrical parallel.
 20. The power converter channel of claim 15, wherein at least one of said first and said second three-phase bridge switching circuits includes a plurality of gas tube switching devices coupled in electrical series. 